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Wed
10
Oct

Man charged with burglary

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 10/10/2018 - 10:42

An 18-year-old Prairie du Chien man has been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of burglary of a building or dwelling. 

Franklin E. Swan Jr. faces up to a $25,000 fine and 12.5 years of imprisonment if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint, Swan Jr. admitted to investigators that he broke into the DH/BP North in Prairie du Chien with three other individuals. Swan Jr. detailed the items which were stolen, the complaint said.

Video surveillance footage from inside the store showed three people removing items from the shelves and putting them in their pockets. 

Wed
10
Oct

Driver allegedly drives through accident scene, later arrested for fifth offense OWI

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 10/10/2018 - 10:42

An alleged drunken driver was arrested in Mount Hope, for his fifth offense OWI, after he drove through an accident scene Monday night, the Grant County Sheriff’s Department said.

On Oct. 8, just before 7:30 p.m., the sheriff’s department received a call from the Mount Hope Fire Department of a possible intoxicated driver. Traffic was restricted along Pleasant Valley Road, east of South Ridge Road in Little Grant Township, because a semi-truck was being recovered from a slideoff. 

Wed
10
Oct

Oktoberfest a big fall party for all

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 10/10/2018 - 10:41

Trying their hands at the traditional German hammerschlagen, Gail Zirngibl, Joanie Sheriff and Darrell Cooley made some memories at Oktoberfest 2017 on St. Feriole Island.

Gretchen Rickleff, aka the Pretzel lady, served the customary knotted German bread, salted or not, to a couple thousand hungry Oktoberfest-goers last year. (Courier Press file photos)

This year's button

By Correne Martin

You may not think families, senior citizens and those who make a hobby out of consuming alcohol would fit well into one fall party. But they do. It’s Oktoberfest in Prairie du Chien.

The ninth annual revelry will take place next Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Memorial Gardens on St. Feriole Island. For the price of just a dollar button—and a little bit of spending money—people can be entertained with German music, food, beer, contests, crafts and much more. This is the largest event in Prairie du Chien where all the proceeds benefit the Memorial Gardens, according to parks and rec director Mike Ulrich. 

“We had about 3,000 people last year,” he shared, in depicting the size of this growing affair.

Wed
10
Oct

Have a laughing good time screaming at the Halls of Terror

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 10/10/2018 - 10:39

Nate and Nick Gilberts have been involved with the Halls of Terror for over a dozen years. Along with help their family, friends and the Prairie du Chien fire and police departments, they will offer the haunted house once again, beginning this weekend. (Courier Press file photo)

By Correne Martin

Have you ever wondered how haunted house designers keep their events fresh and scream-worthy? 

Well, aside from naturally having a twisted mind, they take the time to visit professional haunted houses far and wide to slice and dice into the creative horror that tortures their thrill seekers.

Nate and Nick Gilberts have spent weeks changing up the maze, as people call their Halls of Terror in Prairie du Chien, including a couple of research trips to other freakish events. 

“We have incorporated quite a few of them into this year’s Halls of Terror, with our own twist,” Nate said.

Wed
10
Oct

15th—and final—Fallfire art contest begins

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 10/10/2018 - 10:37

This untitled photograph by Adam Bartels was last year’s “best of show” winner of the local Fallfire art contest.

 With the support of several area businesses, cartoonist John Mundt, Esquire, of Prairie du Chien, is hosting the 15th annual Fallfire art contest, which is accepting submissions now through Saturday, Nov. 3. Open to artists of any age, and in all mediums, Fallfire 15, according to Mundt, “will also be our last.” 

Inspired by the sights and sounds of autumn, Mundt, illustrator of “The Collected Short Stories of L. Frank Baum,” founded the contest in 2004 to challenge all artists to “flex their creative muscles.” 

Participants are asked to create a work inspired by the word “fallfire.” 

“Fall always puts me in a very creative mood. I hope to share that feeling with this creativity-inducing exercise,” Mundt said. 

Mon
08
Oct

Auditorium, school upgrade almost done

Submitted by admin on Mon, 10/08/2018 - 11:20

Details are being finished on the inside of the new auditorium and the outside is almost done as well. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)

The new 766-seat auditorium is considered a state-of-the-art facility.

 

 

4.5 percent over budget is said to be typical for a project of this scale

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Mon
08
Oct

High-speed chase results in Mount Hope man’s arrest

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 10/08/2018 - 10:38

An area man was arrested Oct. 1, on narcotics-related charges, following a high-speed chase and crash, according to the Prairie du Chien Police Department.

At about 1:30 a.m., last Monday, a Prairie du Chien police officer observed a vehicle driving east on West Blackhawk Avenue, with an equipment violation. When the officer turned around in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Christopher Easterling, 29, of Mount Hope, increased his speed. The vehicle turned south into an alleyway, then west on East Wisconsin Street, and a vehicle pursuit began. Speeds reached around 100 mph near the Highway 18 bridge, and the vehicle began passing other vehicles.

Mon
08
Oct

Crawford County plat book updated, for sale

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 10/08/2018 - 10:37

On the front cover of the Crawford County plat book are pictures of the county fair, which is the recipient of the proceeds from book sales.

By Correne Martin

The Crawford County plat book is updated and for sale to interested hunters, property owners, emergency service departments and citizens in general. Proceeds from the booklet benefit the Crawford County Fair, according to fair coordinator, Amanda Griswold.

Updated every five years, a plat book consists of maps showing rural property outlines of parcels over five acres, the number of acres and the name of the landowner. Locally-owned, state and federal lands are shown. Township names, section numbers, range numbers, lakes and rivers are included as well. 

Wed
03
Oct

Moving day coming for PdC library

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 10/03/2018 - 11:15

The front desk area of Prairie du Chien's new state-of-the-art library depicts the sophisticated feel that the entire facility now has, thanks to the warm and rich colors and textures of the woodwork, paint, light fixtures, carpeting and other finishes. (Photos by Correne Martin)

It was easy to see Tuesday that the final touches are being done inside the new library, involving mainly cleaning. This picture looks down the hallway between the teen and adult spaces. The library is tentatively slated to open Oct. 15.

Standing inside the front entry, patrons can walk straight (to the right in this photo) to access the checkout desk, left to enter the children's library, right to enter the adult and teen space, or take an immediate left and open another door to enter the meeting room, which is open after hours by appointment.

This counter is in vicinity of the children's library.

The large children's library area, meant to accommodate a large number of visitors for children's programming.

Exterior landscaping is about the last task that needs to be done around the new library. Here is the front entryway.

Parker's parking lot is being prepped for public and library patron parking behind the new library. Entrance to the lot will be off Beaumont Road. The library is in the background here.

For months, the Prairie du Chien Memorial Library has been waiting to return to its home at 125 S. Wacouta Ave. Tentatively, on Oct. 5, at 5 p.m., the temporary location at St. John’s school will be closing. Then, the newly-renovated facility will open its doors to patrons on Monday, Oct. 15.

To make the conversion, the library (both locations) will be closed, Oct. 6-14, in order to make the move. 

The good news is, with the extended closure in mind, the library staff and board encourage everyone to come in and check out a ton of books and materials. Not only will you be helping them out, but there’s also no limit, so you will be able to check out as many books as you wish. 

Wed
03
Oct

Marine purchase of Old National Bank will be official soon

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 10/03/2018 - 10:56

Old National building for sale, 3 branch employees retained

By Correne Martin

Marine Credit Union has provided financial services for clients in the Prairie du Chien area since 2001. Having grown its customer base in the market, Marine feels the community is a great place to further expand. Its recent regulatory approval to acquire the local Old National Bank branch validates that commitment.

This means the Old National Bank branch, at 600 E. Blackhawk Ave., in Prairie du Chien, will permanently shut down at the close of business on Friday, Oct. 26. Then, on Monday, Oct. 29, former Old National customers will begin banking at Marine Credit Union, which is located at 1415 S. Marquette Rd.

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